How to Keep Your Teeth White

When you take into account just how far in home teeth whitening products that we take for granted now, have advanced from their rather modest origins, it can make you really  thankful for what you do not have to put into your mouth simply to get a bright white smile. Although it may appear that way, we have not always had products such as brushed on bleaching gels, whitening toothpastes or whitening strips available. Before the oral healthcare marketplace grew into the leading industry that it is nowadays, getting that elusive smile was not always such an easy job.

Without the invention of the toothbrush, in home teeth whitening would not be where it is now. The first teeth cleaning implements, from hundreds of years ago, bore very little resemblance to what we refer to as a toothbrush nowadays. The first one was fashioned out of a twig with a chafed end to scrape the tooth. Everyone from royalty to peasants all utilized a bit of yard debris as a way to rid their mouth and teeth of excess food and buildup. This crude form of toothbrush eventually evolved into something similar to the implement we use today. Instead of a frayed twig, a piece of shaped wood with wild boar bristles attached to one end, became the in thing to brush your pearly whites with. Nothing beats the taste of a mouthful of pig hair first thing in the morning.

Wanting to have whiter teeth is not anything new and has always been fashionable. The early barber, who used to double as the local dental practitioner, would literally file the surface of the tooth down and then apply a solution of Nitric Acid. This process would sure enough be effectual at giving brilliant white teeth, but it also came with a high price tag. The combination of filing away and acid would destroy the enamel protective covering resulting in rapid decay and the eventual loss of the teeth.

Think of that fresh minty taste of your toothpaste. Most whitening toothpastes now include bicarbonate of soda as an active component. It is still a common practice to brush the teeth with bicarbonate of soda straight out of the Arm & Hammer packet. If you do not want that baking soda taste, then you might want to stick with toothpaste. At any rate it no longer includes urine, which was a popular element in the 1800's.

The best home dental whitening system begins with correct tooth care. You do need to brush each day and floss regularly. Regular check-ups at the dentist can assist in keeping your teeth healthy and your gums in good shape. You do not need to brush your teeth with pure bleach. You might ,in addition, want to skip tobacco products, red wine and beverages like tea, coffee or soda. All of those cause discoloration of the tooth enamel over time. If brighter teeth seem too much bother, then look at how far people had to go in times past to have sparkling white teeth.